Top 12 Romantic Michigan Getaways: Small Towns & Car-Free Islands

2. Detroit

Skip the hustle and bustle of sports arenas and gambling hotels for a more intimate peek at Michigan’s largest city when you stay at The Siren Hotel, housed within a 1926 Art Deco landmark. You never have to leave the hotel, thanks to a piano bar, coffee shop, and Albena’s wine-paired tasting menu. A short stroll away is the beautifully restored 1928 Fox Theatre, where you can watch a live concert or musical.

3. Ann Arbor

Even if you aren’t a University of Michigan grad, the city’s energetic atmosphere brings hip restaurants—like tapas at dimly-lit Aventura—and cocktail bars, as well as museums. The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History opened in its new home in 2019, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art is one of the country’s largest university art museums. Stay at the 75-year-old quaint Bell Tower Hotel downtown and ditch the car. Rates include continental breakfast and cookies at check-in.

4. Birmingham

Located in the downtown area of this Detroit suburb, Daxton Hotel opened in 2021, bringing lots of luxury with a sophisticated all-day dining room and design-oriented guest rooms. Within a short walk are Toast for an indulgent breakfast and Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro for a perfect date-night spot. Explore Birmingham’s eclectic antiques scene by visiting The Golden Fig Gallery to pick up new home décor.

5. Mackinac Island

Go for a hike at the 70-acre Mackinac Island State Park or take a horse-drawn carriage through the snow on this car-free island. Grand Hotel (open seasonally) is the most luxurious property, welcoming guests since 1887. It features 14 bars and restaurants, a spa, outdoor pool, lawn games, and afternoon tea. For a more intimate year-round option, consider downtown’s Bicycle Street Inn & Suites, where some guest rooms feature balconies with beautiful water views.

6. Frankenmuth

Don’t be turned off by the Bavarian vibe. Michigan’s “little Bavaria” is far from kitschy. This town, settled in 1845 by Germans, boasts charming Bavarian architecture. Check into Marv Herzog Hotel then hit the town for a drink—choose from a wine tasting at St. Julian Winery & Distillery Tasting Room or an authentic beer garden followed by chicken dinner at Bavarian Inn Restaurant & Lodge.

7. Traverse City

Canoodle among the vines in Michigan’s unofficial winery capital, where you can also wake up in a vineyard at the intimate Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse. For a break from wine tasting, journey 40 miles west to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and climb the 450-foot-tall dunes hand in hand. Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is a one-stop shop for relaxation: Start with a couples massage in the spa and end with dinner at the glass-walled Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on the 16th floor.

8. Saugatuck

This popular resort town is a home away from home for many Chicagoans who love the relaxed pace, beautiful beaches, and vibrant dining scene. Explore antiques at the 24,000-square-foot Saugatuck Antique Pavilion or browse downtown art galleries. For a date night, consider watching the sunset on Lake Michigan’s eastern shoreline with a picnic or booking a table for farm-to-table cuisine at Salt of the Earth in nearby Fennville, or surf-and-turf at Bowdie’s Chophouse. The Belvedere Inn enhances your experience with packages including in-room massages, floral arrangements, wine, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

9. Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is the craft beer capital of Michigan, and the city’s many breweries offer restaurants, tasting rooms, and events that can fill a weekend. Start with dinner at Brewery Vivant, a LEED-certified brewery within a former funeral home that serves French-inspired food. Grand Rapids Art Museum boasts an impressive collection, including works by Picasso, while Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is perfect for a romantic stroll. Tucked into Heritage Hill, the lovely Parsonage Inn offers a charming Queen Anne experience.

10. Holland

Just like the Dutch region, this Michigan destination features windmills and tulips (especially in spring at the 36-acre Windmill Island Gardens). There’s also a family-run Dutch bakery, deBoer Bakkerij & Dutch Brothers Restaurant, and Nelis’ Dutch Village, an amusement park with a Dutch theme. Shopping at indie stores or lingering at downtown cafes and restaurants is delightful, and both Courtyard by Marriott Holland Downtown and Centennial Inn are ideally located.

11. Marquette

This Upper Peninsula town is ideal for nature lovers throughout the year, given the number of nearby trails—including those along the Noquemanon Trail Network—for biking, hiking, or cross-country skiing. Sugarloaf Mountain is a quick six-mile drive away, offering view points of Lake Superior. Back in town, enjoy dinner at The Delf Bistro, nestled inside a former vintage movie theater, and visit Landmark Inn, known for its soaking tubs and four-poster beds in select rooms.

12. Petoskey

This charming town on Lake Michigan offers a variety of romantic activities, such as exploring vineyards, parks, beaches, art galleries, and antique shops. Petoskey State Park has 304 acres featuring a half-mile hike up a dune, leading to a beach on Little Traverse Bay. Stafford’s Perry Hotel is centrally located in Petoskey’s Gaslight District, an area filled with century-old shops and fine dining. For a delightful dining experience, try Palette Bistro, offering Mediterranean-inspired cuisine (including weekend brunch) with views of Little Traverse Bay.

13. Marshall

Known for its antique stores and beautiful architecture, this town lies about an hour’s drive west of Ann Arbor. National House Inn is a charming bed and breakfast built in 1835, where the current innkeepers have tended to guests since 1976. After a day of antiquing, visit Maria’s Uncorked, a floral shop and tasting room, before enjoying a wine-paired dinner at the exquisite Kitchen Proper in nearby Battle Creek.